Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Preparing For Some Special Guests

It's a busy, busy time here at the Prairie as I prepare to welcome some special visitors next week.  One I have met, one I haven't met in person before, but I feel as though I've known her for ages.  I look at my house with critical eyes--why haven't I replaced all this carpeting by now?  Can I get the windows washed and the clutter put away before they come?  How much cat and dog hair will Toby and Sophie shed after I've vacuumed??


And then there's the garden.  They are gardeners, too, so I know we will be walking around the garden,  inspecting it much more closely than my house.   I've been trimming and weeding and even some deadheading, but it's a never-ending cycle.  It's been such a hot and dry summer that the garden is looking pretty sad.  The native asters and some remaining goldenrod are the only new blooms standing in the butterfly garden that otherwise is going to seed.



  Too late, I realize that I've focused too much on spring and summer blooms in my garden.  I hope my visitors find the seedheads of coneflowers interesting, because the big stand of blooms is long gone.


I wonder what they will be expecting; will they be disappointed?  I always warn visitors ahead of time that my garden is small.  Don't expect drifts of anything, unless an eight-foot border of lantana counts as a drift.



These Monarda blooms are not from my garden, but I do have plenty of bees, which should delight one of my visitors especially.

Perhaps the bees and the butterflies will make up for the lack of blooms . . .


. . . and distract them from seeing the weeds:)


It won't take us long to walk around my garden, so there should be plenty of time to sit and chat.  I know we'll find so much to talk about; we might sit on my front porch,  if Tarzan and Marmalade are willing to share their seat.


And from this vantage point they might get to see my hummingbirds up close and personal instead of the blurry photos that are all I seem to be able to get.  I just hope the hummers' migration doesn't start too soon.


Fortunately, my visitors are all dog lovers, which is a good thing because Sophie is excited about their arrival, too.  She loves visitors!

Although we received two inches of rain last week, we need much more.  But not next week!  I am hoping for sunny skies to enjoy visiting gardens with my special visitors, who I'll tell you all about later next week.  I know we're going to have a wonderful time, and I can't wait!

26 comments:

  1. I can tell you that one visitor won't be shocked by the plight of your garden. We haven't had any rain here yet. Not even a chance until next week. I believe this is the driest time in my gardening history. I don't remember a drought like this ever. It is sort of scary. I have to drag the hose around the garden every day just to keep things alive and I don't water the entire garden only the plants I want to make sure that they survive. Sigh~~ I can't wait to see everyone. Tell Sophie it won't be long.

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  2. Awwww-the cats are adorable! Have a great visit with your visitors.

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  3. Enjoy your visit Rose! I look forward to hearing about it.

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  4. Hi all! I'm having some computer problems--Firefox keeps crashing on me, and I'm not techno-literate enough to figure out what's going on. Sometimes I can read your blogs, but can't leave a comment. So if I don't visit in the next few days, it's not because I'm too busy cleaning house:) Hopefully, I'll get this figured out.

    Lisa, The two inches of rain we got last week was so nice, but we need a lot more to fill all the cracks in the ground. Sophie and I are excited to see you!

    Tina, Thanks; I'm really looking forward to the visit. The cats seem to spend much of their day in this position:)

    Susie, I'll be sure to do a longer post next weekend about their visit. One is coming all the way from England!

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  5. Your photos are excellent. I just love the cats on the rocking chair. The butterflies are wonderful....... not to mention the flowers.
    I am sure your guests will love the place and your garden seems very large to me and I am just sure they will love it!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  6. I think I know who your guest will be, and I am excited for you! Oh, how I would love to meet your visitors too. You can be sure they will appreciate seed heads as much as blooms, and you will not have to worry about them being nearly as critical as you about your garden and house. Sophie is such a beautiful girl, and an excellent hostess making sure your guests are properly greeted. Give them a hug and big Texas "howdy" from MGRR!

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  7. Hi Rose, I know you needn't worry and here's why: your guests are gardeners too, and in my experience they are the best kind of visitors!

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  8. Hi Rose, Everything looks just great to me. You have forgotten something though. Surely it is your wonderful self your guests are coming to see?? In which case I am sure they will not be disappointed......

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  9. I'm sure your guest will look at your garden with enjoyment, just as I am.

    Thank you for the pictures.

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  10. Have a wonderful time with your visitors! Your sweet animals will welcome them too.

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  11. I'm interested to hear who they will be...but if they're gardeners they will certainly understand any issues the garden may have at this point!

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  12. Rose,

    I'm sure you know that the best butterfly garden is full of weeds and is overgrown. So please relax you can tell that if anyone asks why the garden might be a mess, for the butterflies!

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  13. Rose, You've got my curiosity piqued! Have fun! xxxxgail

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  14. I am sure they will be just glad to see you.

    Love that spiderflower shot at the end.

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  15. Don't worry too much about the visitors not seeing a perfect house or perfect garden. NO ONE has a perfect anything! LOL, Just enjoy your visit.

    I wish my fur girls would snuggle as your Tarzan and Marmalade. They are so cute when in snuggle mode. My babies are mother and daughter but rarely snuggle...

    Hummers and butterflies are the most difficult to capture on film. They are such busy creatures in the garden...

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  16. Hope you have a good visit and that they enjoy your garden. Looks like the furry ones can provide some amusement as well. ;)

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  17. Dear Rose,
    You will have a very wonderful time, I am so sure! Lots to talk about; lots to share.
    I bet your visitors are really coming to see you and maybe the bugs! Bugs like the "wild" grasses and "native" plants the best.
    No worries...I too am so excited......
    Seeing your butterflies is wonderful. They will love them. The cleome is very pretty.
    Oh joy! Soon our friends will be here.
    Sherry

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  18. Hello Rose,

    I do hope you have a wonderful visit with your friends. I love the cats on the rocking chair. Your garden looks beautiful as always....lots of texture, especially with the coneflower heads.

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  19. Have fun Rose. I'm sure just being with you will be enjoyable enough. Cool cleome shot!

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  20. Your post makes me smile... you have captured perfectly the thoughts that flow though my mind as to whether or not my gardens and home will be acceptable to visiting guests. Somehow it all works out. Try not to stress... take deep breaths and enjoy! And thank you for visiting my blog!

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  21. I am sure you'll have a wonderful visit. I'm envious; you guys all seem to be able to visit among yourselves (now and then) so easily, and I wish I could do as well. I keep saying 'maybe next year', but so far it hasn't happened...Your garden will be fine, and the furfriends will charm any visitor.

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  22. I would be so entranced by Sophie I wouldn't notice much else!

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  23. I always have a meltdown prior to people 'touring' my gardens. They never seem to notice the weeds, though. Or, maybe they're just being kind?? :) I'm quite certain your special guests will be blown away by your flowers.

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  24. Relax and enjoy your guests Rose! :~)

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  25. I'm having some too this week and really I should be getting the house ready now for them - I'll probably regret sitting around on the computer tommorrow when its a mad dash to get everything ready. The older I get the more I expect people to take me the way they find me. I'm so much more relaxed about having company around to view the garden weeds and all! Hope you have a great time and that the weather is good to you all.

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  26. Jimi & Fiona are happy to see Tarzan and Marmalade! :)

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